U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person and virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of...
News
Latest News
Rubio Receives Democracy Award for Innovation and Modernization
Every year, the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) recognizes Members of Congress for their non-legislative achievements in operations, communications, and constituent services. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) was awarded the 2024 Democracy Award for...
Rubio sobre la Toma de Posesión del Presidente Panameño
El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) emitió el siguiente comunicado sobre la toma de posesión del presidente panameño José Mulino: “A principios de este año, tras un proceso electoral pacífico y democrático, el pueblo de Panamá eligió al Presidente José...
Rubio Statement on Panamanian President’s Inauguration
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the inauguration of Panamanian President José Mulino: “Earlier this year, following a peaceful and democratic electoral process, the people of Panama elected President José Mulino as their new...
Rubio on State Department’s 2023 International Religious Freedom Report
Each year, the U.S. Department of State releases to Congress its International Religious Freedom Report. This report highlights the status of religious freedom in countries worldwide. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) issued the following statement regarding the release...
Next Week: Rubio Staff Hosts Mobile Office Hours
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person and virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of...
ICYMI: WSJ: Marco Rubio Introduces a Bill to Boost the U.S. Rare Earth Industry
Marco Rubio Introduces a Bill to Boost the U.S. Rare Earth Industry
By Timothy Puko
July 11, 2019
Wall Street Journal
Press Release/Bill Text
Legislation aimed at making the U.S. more competitive with China for processing critical rare-earth minerals is set to be introduced in Congress on Thursday.
The bill by Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.), would allow investors to form a cooperative that is exempt from antitrust laws, in an attempt to shield it from government-backed competition from China and volatile markets that have made it virtually nonexistent in the U.S. The Secretary of Commerce would secure a charter for the business, though it would need to be privately funded and operated under the terms of the legislation.
Rare earths are critical to making parts in high-tech applications including military equipment, parts almost exclusively supplied by China. One American mine recently restarted production and Mr. Rubio’s legislation aims to help develop a U.S.-based industry for turning those raw materials into alloys, magnets and other products.
In a statement, Mr. Rubio said the Chinese government has subsidized its industry, causing “a market failure” that has hurt rare-earth development in the U.S. and elsewhere.
“Continued U.S. dependence on China for the mining and processing of rare earths and the manufacture of those metals into useful products is untenable—it threatens our national security, limits our economic productivity and robs working-class Americans of future opportunities for dignified work,” he said.
The bill’s aim is to give companies that need rare-earths-based products a vehicle to process alloys and manufacture parts in the U.S. at cost by allowing the co-op’s owners to split the profits. That could limit risk for end-users so they can invest in and develop a more secure U.S.-based supply chain.
…
In May Chinese President Xi Jinpingtoured a region of China that calls itself a rare-earths kingdom with his top trade negotiator. Many, including Mr. Rubio, saw that as a signal China would consider instituting an export embargo to gain leverage in trade talks.
Read the rest here.